House of the Dragon - GoT Prequel Series (non book reader)

Plus this thread is buried in this sub-forum rather than the main TV one

Watched it last night and I really enjoyed it myself. I was late to the GoT party anyway (watched 6 seasons back to back) and I love that they kept the music/audio cues and the general feel of the parent show.

I think Damon was great myself, but other standouts being the King and the Hand (though you'd miss Tywin and Tyrion's sardonic attitudes). First episode sets things up well and I'm glad thay they're still focusing on the political intrigue and backstabbing rather than "ooh, Dragons!!"

Looking forward to more.

I thought it was pretty OK. Not amazing, but being fair it took me a few episodes to really get enthralled in Game of Thrones as well, but definitely solid enough as a scene setter.

Cast was good, maybe Matt Smith was a little two one-dimensional and hamming it up a bit, but no major complaints.

I enjoyed it, it was fairly gruesome in parts I thought, Got was aswell but it led up to it - I nearly turned it off at the birth (not sure why - im not squeamish) Maybe thats a compliment to the way it was acted.

The names are infuriating however.

Of course its early days, id give it a 7, maybe an 8/10 for entertainment.

Finished first episode.

If I had to sum it up.

Watchable, enjoyable, predictable.

Renewed for second season.

Second episode is excellent. So many interesting ways this could develop. Can't wait for next week. Hope they can manage to sustain pace and momentum over the course of ten episodes.

Really enjoyed that.

I dont like hightower!

It's interesting so far but I'd like the prequel part to be over soon so the real story can start.

Good second episode. A bit more linear and far less complex than GOT was, but moving at a good pace while still setting things up nicely.

Was weird to see the GOT title music at the start and a new take on the mechanical landscape opening along with it.

OMG the guy on the official podcast is annoying https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcUmLlopkdM

Serious question: The Targareans have 10 adult dragons and those dragons make them an almost invincible military force.

So why is one of those dragons owned by a teenage princess whose main responsibility is to serve wine at committee meetings?

That's be like a princess having her own fully armed nuclear submarine or something???

If they don't take Rhaenyra seriously at all why is she in charge of a significant part of their military might?

I appreciate that maybe only a handful of people are able to control a dragon, but since she obviously can and since she is in charge of a dragon why doesn't she have lots of power/influence?

The same reason why in GoT, Bran was Lord of Winterfell when Robb went off to war, Lyanna Mormont was Lady of Bear Island, Robin Aryn was Lord of the Vale after Littlefinger offed Lysa Aryn. They get their positions and privileges through their position in their families.

Rhaenyra has a dragon because she's a Targaryen and being raised alongside the dragon bonds the dragon to them (hence why Daemon claimed he wanted a dragon egg for his child though it was just a ploy to antagonise Viserys). She's serving wine at the committee meetings in part to see how the small council operates as she's part of the royal family. But the dragon is hers due to her position in the family, not because she's in charge of part of their military might. The Targaryens are dragon riders, no-one else (as far as I know).

She is the oldest of the King's children (even if Viserys' son lived). She has a high position in the royal family, and she's a Targaryen so the dragon is her birthright. Serving the wine makes her privy to the decisions and discussions of the Small Council. She's not just serving wine, she's learning how to rule.